But he said, ‘I have followed all these since my youth.’ Luke 18:21 It would be easy to jump to the conclusion that this guy is overly self-righteous. But on the face of it, this may have been an honest answer. This man was very likely innocent of theft, adultery, and murder. If bearing false…

You know the commandments, do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false witness, honor your father and your mother. Luke 18:20 Jesus is taking it a bit further, starting with the law. Jesus is not suggesting that the law was going to get this man to heaven. But He…

But Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good? No one is good, except for One, God. Luke 18:19 Some point to this in order to deny that Jesus claimed to be God. However, there is no denial here. Jesus is, as was His practice, determining where this man was spiritually. He already…

Now a particular ruler put a question to Him, saying, ‘Good Teacher, what do I do to inherit eternal life?’ Luke 18:18 This ruler asks one of the better questions ever put to Jesus. Though not completely clear at first, he is genuinely wanting to know the answer. And the ensuing conversation almost leads to…

Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a child, will definitely not enter into it. Luke 18:17 Jesus is of course not saying that older people cannot be saved. But, people form their basic views about the world at a young age. The heart develops just like the mind.…

But Jesus summoned them, saying, ‘Leave the children to come to me, and do not stop them, for of such is the kingdom of God.’ Luke 18:16 This was a mild rebuke. Basically Jesus is saying ‘You shouldn’t be over there stopping the kids, you should be seeking my blessings just like they are, and…

People were also bringing infants to Him that He might touch them, but the disciples saw it and rebuked them. Luke 18:15 These little children were brought by parents who were acting in faith. We do not know their exact motivations, but if nothing else they valued Jesus very highly to be doing this. The…

I tell you, this one, rather than the other, went down justified to his house. For the one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 18:14 Jesus says this sinner was justified. This is quite significant in that Jesus is upholding humility and repentance as the proper…

But the tax officer, standing far away, would not even lift his eyes to heaven, but kept pounding his chest, saying, ‘God, make atonement for me, the sinner!’ Luke 18:13 This man, in spite of his profession, understood two things. For one, he saw the gravity of his own sin. And for the other, he…

I fast twice per Sabbath, I pay a tenth of everything that I aquire. Luke 18:12 The Pharisee was very impressed with himself and felt God should be as well. Outlining good deeds, he sought to qualify himself as a very righteous individual. Fasting twice a week was not required in the law. There were…